80 
that, on the west coast of Scotland, there are sixty-eight islands, 
comprising a population of one hundred thousand, equal to one 
third of the population of the Highlands. 
Of the numerous islands, surrounding a country such as Ireland, 
800 miles in circumference, we know nothing in the way of distinct 
and useful detail. ‘This important expanse of territory has been 
consigned to the meagre lines of a general map, or to the imperfect 
notice of our few county historians, or perchance to the telescopic 
glance and empty pleasantry of some fashionable and superficial 
tourist. 
When one considers the vast extent of our line of coast in all 
its windings, the importance of an inquiry into the number, popu- 
lation, and actual state of the surrounding islands strikes the mind 
with augmented interest. ‘ The sinuous line of its sea coast,’ says 
Mr. Newenham, ‘ exclusive of such parts as lie within estuaries, or 
above the first good anchorage in every harbour, but inclusive of the 
river Shannon, as far as the tide reaches, and the shores of Bantry 
Bay, Dunmanus Bay, and Kenmare River, will, if accurately fol- 
lowed through all its windings, be found to measure 1737 miles. 
In this line there are not fewer than one hundred and thirty har- 
bours, and places where ships may anchor for a tide, or find 
shelter.* Exclusive of those which lie within great bays, there 
are nearly one hundred inhabited islands’.+ * Most of these,’ ob- 
serves Mr. Anderson, ‘ are said to be fertile; some of them, as the 
Isles of Aran off the coast of Galway, the Island of Valentia, and 
the Magherea Islands off the coast of Kerry, surprisingly so. 
The number of inhabitants, throughout these islands, is unknown ; 
but it must be very considerable. The population of one only of 
* View of Ireland, 4to. London, 1809, p. 6. 
+ To. p. 11. 
